The Obamas are just the last in a long line of presidential families who have lit the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. The annual tradition goes back to Calvin Coolidge in 1923.

The Obamas are just the last in a long line of presidential families who have lit the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. The annual tradition goes back to Calvin Coolidge in 1923.

Photo: Associated Press

The Obamas are just the last in a long line of presidential... Photo-3853300.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 2 of 18

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush arrive to participate in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace at The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush arrive to participate in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace at The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007.

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, with the help of John Betchkal, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, places a stained glass ornament atop the National Christmas tree in Washington, Nov. 28, 1994. The first lady took a hydraulic lift to the top of the tree, which President Clinton is expected to light up during the 1994 Pageant of Peace on December 7. less

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, with the help of John Betchkal, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, places a stained glass ornament atop the National Christmas tree in Washington, Nov. 28, 1994. The ... more

Photo: Associated Press

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, with the help of John Betchkal,... Photo-3853296.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 4 of 18

U.S. President George H. Bush shakes hand with Santa Claus, being portrayed by television personality Williard Scott, while lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 14, 1989. less

U.S. President George H. Bush shakes hand with Santa Claus, being portrayed by television personality Williard Scott, while lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, ... more

President Ronald Reagan, back center, and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, surrounded by students from Martin Luther King Elementary school, look toward the National Christmas Tree after pushing the switch to light the tree, Thursday, Dec. 13, 1984, Washington, D.C. The tree, on the Ellipse, is a living 30-foot Colorado Blue Spruce decorated with 1,600 translucent green lights. The rest of the group is unidentified. less

President Ronald Reagan, back center, and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, surrounded by students from Martin Luther King Elementary school, look toward the National Christmas Tree after pushing the switch to light the ... more

President Jimmy Carter waves after he and his daughter Amy pressed the button that turned on the lights of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington on Thursday, Dec. 15, 1978. The tree has been traditionally lighted by the President of the United States since 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge did the honors. less

President Jimmy Carter waves after he and his daughter Amy pressed the button that turned on the lights of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington on Thursday, Dec. 15, 1978. The tree has been ... more

Photo: Associated Press

President Jimmy Carter waves after he and his daughter Amy pressed... Photo-3853292.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 8 of 18

First lady Betty Ford looks over decorations and presents under the White House Christmas Tree in Washington in the Blue Room of the presidential mansion in Washington. In 1974 Betty Ford went with a patchwork-trimmed tree, and distributed instructions so families around the country could make their own decorations. less

First lady Betty Ford looks over decorations and presents under the White House Christmas Tree in Washington in the Blue Room of the presidential mansion in Washington. In 1974 Betty Ford went with a ... more

U.S. President Richard Nixon, first lady Pat Nixon and their daughter Tricia stand beside the Christmas tree in the main lobby of the White House on Dec. 21, 1969, following a worship service.

U.S. President Richard Nixon, first lady Pat Nixon and their daughter Tricia stand beside the Christmas tree in the main lobby of the White House on Dec. 21, 1969, following a worship service.

Photo: Associated Press

U.S. President Richard Nixon, first lady Pat Nixon and their... Photo-3853289.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 10 of 18

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 11 of 18

President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson, and Yuki, the White House pet, pose beside the family Christmas tree in Washington, Dec. 24, 1967, a Norway spruce. Yuki takes a stand atop some of the family Christmas gifts arranged under the tree. The President returned from his round-the-world journey. The setting is in the Yellow Oval Room in the second floor of the White House. less

President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson, and Yuki, the White House pet, pose beside the family Christmas tree in Washington, Dec. 24, 1967, a Norway spruce. Yuki takes a stand atop some of the family ... more

President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy pose in front of the Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington on Dec. 13, 1961. The occasion was a pre-Christmas party for White House staff members and their families. less

President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy pose in front of the Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington on Dec. 13, 1961. The occasion was a pre-Christmas party for White House ... more

President Eisenhower, right, faces the National Christmas Tree as he lighted it in Washington formally opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace on Dec. 23, 1960. The tree is erected in the Ellipse, a park just south of the White House. less

President Eisenhower, right, faces the National Christmas Tree as he lighted it in Washington formally opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace on Dec. 23, 1960. The tree is erected in the Ellipse, a park ... more

President Harry S. Truman, seated in front of bookcase at his home in Independence, Mo., pushes button which lighted the nation's Christmas tree on south lawn of White House, Washington, Dec. 24, 1949. Tree lighting came during the president's annual Christmas talk to the nation. The text of his radio talk is in the notebook in front of him. less

President Harry S. Truman, seated in front of bookcase at his home in Independence, Mo., pushes button which lighted the nation's Christmas tree on south lawn of White House, Washington, Dec. 24, 1949. Tree ... more

Photo: Henry Griffin, Associated Press

President Harry S. Truman, seated in front of bookcase at his home... Photo-3853283.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 15 of 18

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 16 of 18

It was a family Christmas at White House for the Roosevelt's on Dec. 25, 1939. This picture includes the performing Johnny Boettiger, nine-month-old grand son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is the cynosure of all eye seated, left to right: Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt; Mrs. Sara Roosevelt, president's mother; Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt, Jr., with Franklin III on lap; the president; Mrs. John Boettiger president's daughter Anna and her son, Johnny; Mrs. J.R. Roosevelt (President's sister-in-law); Mrs. Anne Roosevelt; wife of son John; standing, Franklin, Jr. and John; John Boettiger on floor, Eleanor "Sistie" Dall; Diana Hopkins, Commerce secretary's daughter; and Curtis "Bussie" Dall, Jr.

It was a family Christmas at White House for the Roosevelt's on Dec. 25, 1939. This picture includes the performing Johnny Boettiger, nine-month-old grand son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is the ... more

Photo: Associated Press

It was a family Christmas at White House for the Roosevelt's... Photo-5458791.53499 - StamfordAdvocate

Image 17 of 18

President Herbert Hoover and family pose in front of a Christmas tree in Washington.

President Herbert Hoover and family pose in front of a Christmas tree in Washington.

Photo: Associated Press

President Herbert Hoover and family pose in front of a Christmas... Photo-3853281.53499 - StamfordAdvocate